A Neglected Drama for Elders: Discrepancy Between Self-Perception and Objective Performance Regarding Financial Capacity in Patients With Cognitive Deficits

Abstract

The article aims at investigating whether patients from Greece with different kinds of cognitive deficits (resulting from Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease Dementia, and Mild Cognitive Impairment) can be characterized as financially capable (based on neuropsychological assessment), and if this claimed (in)capacity is in accordance with their personal belief of (in)capacity. Results revealed that the vast majority of the mild, moderate and severe Alzheimer’s disease patients as well as patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Parkinson’s disease, who scored significantly lower than normal on a relevant financial decision-making capacity test, believed that they were capable to handle their finances. This finding is in contrast with their actual financial capacity scores and the beliefs of their family members-caregivers on this issue. Some critical questions concerning incapacity and intellectual insight are raised, and future cross-cultural investigative attempts on this issue are suggested.